Click here for expert help

A Quick Start is a simple set of instructions to assist you to begin to use a particular category of
records to solve a genealogical problem.

 Start with what you know:

• My ancestor’s name___________________________________________________________
• Names of siblings_____________________________________________________________
• Names of parents, uncles, etc____________________________________________________
• State and County where he lived______________________________________(use the census)
• When did he live there_________________________________________________________

 Notes:
    1.                  Refer to E. Wade Hone, Land and Property Research in the United States. 973 R27h
                    (Reference Wall)
    2.                  Refer to [State] Research Outline, “Land and Property” www.familysearch.org
    3.                  Refer to Patricia Law Hatcher, Locating Your Roots: Discover Your Ancestors Using
                    Land Records 929.3 D27 (Reference Wall)

A. Find the county in The Handybook - 973 D27e (Reference Wall)
B. For what years are land records available_____________________________________________
C. Use AniMap or Dollarhide’s Map Book with The Handybook to ensure you search the correct
     jurisdiction
D. Keep in mind your ancestor’s deed may have been recorded many years after the deed was
     created.
E. Search a broad time period
F. Many land records have been microfilmed.
G. Consult the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)       
     http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp  
H. Click on Place Search

1. In the top box type the name of  the county (exclude the word county)
2. In the bottom box type the full name of the state (exact spelling is a must)
3. Click on Land and Property
4. Choose deed records for the years to include when your ancestor may have bought and sold
   (prefer microfilm of county clerk, recorder, etc.)
5. If film notes are available in the upper right hand corner click on that button
6. If available choose an index (grantee = buyer, grantor = seller)
7. Use the film number to check Mesa Regional Family History Center Catalog
   http://www.mesarfhc.org/search/film.asp
8. If it is here retrieve it and put it on the microfilm reader
9. If it is not here, order it in the copy room
10. Scroll to the surname (ancestor, siblings, parents) Record the book and page numbers
11. Use the book or volume number at the film notes from No. 5 to select and obtain the film for
    the deed
12. Once you have the microfilm on the reader scroll to the page number (see No. 10)

Read the entire deed
You should track the land both when purchased and sold
Keep a readable copy of the deed (you may scan the deed and print it or save it on a flash drive)
Record a proper citation of your source
List positive or negative searches in your research log

Important information you should record:
Date of the deed___________________________________________________________________
Names of the first party (Grantor(s), Seller(s)) _____________________________________________
Names of the second party (Grantee(s), Buyer(s))___________________________________________
Stated relationships__________________________________________________________________
Consideration (price) ________________________________________________________________
Legal description____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Witnesses_________________________________________________________________________

If deeds for your ancestor’s county have not been microfilmed

• Email or phone the courthouse
• Refer to the Handybook for the name of the repository
• Ask the clerk of the court to search for the name of your ancestor in the index
• Obtain a price for the copies and order the record

 Solving the Puzzle

• Make a table and track every sale until you ancestor’s land is all disposed of
• If the census says your ancestor owned land look for the land records
• Consider did he inherit the land, use probate records with land records
• Did he receive land from the government
• Don’t settle for only an abstract or a transcription
• Internet searches can be helpful or frustrating not everything is on the internet
• Be ready to search the witnesses and the siblings
• Usually only the name of the main grantor or grantee will be in the index

Books or Abstracts

• Use an abstract as an index to help you locate the original record
• Remember the abstractor may have left out important information that may help you solve
  your genealogical puzzle

Internet Images (some county governments have posted images of deeds on line)

• Search the county clerk or government using Google

Internet Transcriptions

• Ancestry.com
  • Click Search
  • Click “Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records”
  • Scroll to the data base where your ancestor lived
• Cyndi’s List               http://www.cyndislist.com/land.htm
  • Click Locality Specific
  • Scroll to United States and then to your ancestor’s state
• US GebWeb.com
  • Volunteer for county may lookup a copy of your deed if you supply the volume and
    page number

 Previous Page